GUILFORD — The town of Guilford's 250th anniversary celebration, a year-long series of events in 2011, kicks off with a day of free, family-oriented activities on Saturday, Jan. 8 from noon to 9:30 p.m. at two different venues in town.
From noon to 4 p.m., there will be a sledding party at Sportsmen's, Inc. To reach the club, proceed about a mile on Guilford Center Road to the right turn onto Tater Lane, and very shortly take the right fork onto Creamery Road. The club is on the right at 2081 Creamery Road, just before the Brattleboro town line.
One of the goals of the celebration is to introduce people to neighborhoods and places which are not as familiar to many, and this will be one of two opportunities for townspeople to visit this club during the celebration year.
Compliments of club members, there will be hot chocolate, a bonfire, and the clubhouse will be open for bathrooms and warm-up. There is a pavilion from which the sledding slope starts, and they hope to have snowmobiles available to pull folks back up the hill, and keep the sliding compacted for ideal conditions. The club will also sell hot dogs and hamburgers throughout the afternoon.
The action then moves to Broad Brook Grange in Guilford Center for the evening. From 5 to 6:30 p.m., Grange members will host a chili supper for everyone. Chili con carne, turkey chili and vegetarian chili will be available, along with green salad, corn bread, beverages and other items.
From 6:30-9:30 p.m., there will be a family dance in the newly-heated big hall upstairs, contras and squares with Andy Davis, caller and accordion; Laurie Indenbaum, fiddle; and Arthur Davis, piano. The Grange will offer baked goods for sale during the dance.
This dance is the first of a monthly series of dances in many genres that will be held at the Grange throughout this year. To reach the Grange, stay on Guilford Center Road, four miles from the Country Store. The Grange is on the right as you enter the village of Guilford Center.
All events are admission-free on this day. At both venues, donations will be welcome for the Guilford 250th fund, and the Grange will as well have a donation box to help pay for the heat in the restrooms, vestibule and upstairs dance hall.